How do hurricanes get their names? Also, why are they usually female names?
Charmaine E., age 11 A:Tropical cyclones are named to provide ease of communication between forecasters and the general public regarding forecasts, watches, and warnings. Since the storms can often last a week or longer and that more than one can be occurring in the same basin at the same time, names can reduce the confusion about which storm is being described. Between 1951 and 1977, hurricanes were given female names. Beginning in 1978, both male and female names began being used, alternating with each letter of the alphabet. Q: How long can hurricanes last? Anjali, age 11 A:The record is 28 days, for Hurricane Ginger in 1971. Q: Why does the pressure lower in a hurricane? Lucas, age 10 A:Low pressure at the center is a feature of all large storm systems and results from a complicated interaction between the spin of the earth and the physics of how gases behave in our atmosphere. Q: What month has the most hurricanes on record? Claire, age 6 A:September. The peak of hurricane season
